England v Germany: match preview

Round of 16

England v Germany
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: Sun June 27, 3pm BST
TV: BBC One 2.30pm

It was, perhaps, inevitable England would meet Germany in South Africa, but few expected it so early on. Germany have impressed more than England at the World Cup so far, particularly against Australia. Yet they have lost, against Serbia, while England remain unbeaten.

The last time these teams met in the finals was back in 1990, when England suffered the cruelty of a penalty heartache. But on the previous occasion they met in the qualifiers England record their best ever win over their rivals, a remarkable 5-1 victory in Munich.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Jerome Boateng and Mesut Ozil all picked up knocks against Ghana but Germany anticipate the trio to be fit. The Germans will also have Miroslav Klose available after suspension.

England, meanwhile, are expected to keep faith with Matthew Upson alongside John Terry even though Jamie Carragher is available after suspension. There is, though, a slight double over Wayne Rooney and his ankle problem.

Key Clash

John Terry v Miroslav Klose: Terry was immense against Slovenia, having received a verbal lashing from Capello.

Now he faces one of the most successful strikers in world football and has to produce another superlative performance, aided by Matthew Upson.

Klose is one short of 50 international goals and his return, from suspension, against England will be his 99th appearance for Germany.


Touchline duel

Fabio Capello v Joachim Low: Two cool customers will stand side by side in Bloemfontein and both have points to prove.

Low has been criticised for fielding such a young side but the fact Germany have qualified again suggests the future is bright.

Capello’s hold over discipline showed cracks but now he has the support of his players again and confidence has returned.

Talking tactics

Capello has resisted calls to play Wayne Rooney as a lone striker with Steven Gerrard playing just off him. Gerrard started on the left against Slovenia, though he did drift inside.

James Milner impressed on the right in that game and will continue, while Matthew Upson will be expected to deliver another good display alongside John Terry.

Germany have used a 4-2-3-1 formation for all three games, with Cacau replacing Klose against Ghana.

Fabio Capello: “The players needed the victory against Slovenia and I needed it. They can play against all the teams and I am sure the performance will always be at this level with this spirit.”

Hansi Flick (assistant manager): “We have a very young team and England are certainly the favourites. But beating Ghana made us mentally stronger.”

Teams

Germany (3-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Podolski, Ozil; Klose.
England (4-4-2): James; Johnson, Upson, Terry, A Cole; Milner, Lampard, Barry, Gerrard; Rooney, Defoe.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)

Previous meetings

Played: 27 Germany 10, Draws 5, England 12

1930: (Berlin, Friendly): Germany 3 England 3
1935: (London, Friendly): England 3 Germany 0
1938: (Berlin, Friendly): Germany 3 England 6
1954: (London, Friendly): England 3 West Germany 1
1956: (West Berlin, Friendly): West Germany 1 England 3
1965: (Nuremburg, Friendly): West Germany 0 England 1
1966: (London, Friendly): England 1 West Germany 0
1966: (London, WC): England 4 W Germany 2 (aet)
1968: (Hanover, Friendly): West Germany 1 England 0
1970: (Leon, WC): W Germany 3 England 2 (aet)
1972: (London, EC): England 1 West Germany 3
1972: (West Berlin, EC): West Germany 0 England 0
1975: (London, Friendly): England 2 West Germany 0
1978: (Munich, Friendly): West Germany 2 England 1
1982: (Madrid, WC): W Germany 0 England 0
1982: (London, Friendly): England 1 West Germany 2
1985: (Mexico City, Friendly): England 3 West Germany 0
1987: (Düsseldorf, Friendly): West Germany 3 England 1
1990: (Turin, WC): W Germany 1 England 1 (West Germany 4-3 pens)
1991: (London, Friendly): England 0 Germany 1
1993: (Detroit, Friendly): Germany 2 England 1
1996: (London, EC): England 1 Germany 1 (Germany 5-6 pens)
2000: (Charleroi, EC): England 1 Germany 0
2000: (London, WCQ): England 0 Germany 1
2001: (Munich, WCQ): Germany 1 England 5
2007: (London, Friendly): England 1 Germany 2
2008: (Berlin, Friendly): Germany 1 England 2

Fact: Miroslav Klose has scored 11 goals in World Cup finals, just four behind all-time record scorer Ronaldo, who has 15.

He is only three behind Germany’s most prolific World Cup scorer, Gerd Müller. England’s highest scorer is Gary Lineker (10) while, in the present squad it is Steven Gerrard, with three.

Meanwhile, Germany have drawn only one of their last 15 games, keeping nine clean sheets in that spell.

All four previous knockout matches between England and Germany in major tournaments have gone to extra time.

Prediction: The time has come for England to beat Germany, and do it in regular time without penalties. England will win.